Shloka 49
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ९३: कृष्णस्य धृतराष्ट्रोपदेशः
Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel to Dhṛtarāṣṭra in the Assembly
गान्धारराज: शकुनिर्गान्धारैरभिरक्षित:
gāndhārarājaḥ śakunir gāndhārair abhirakṣitaḥ
قال فايشامبايانا: إنّ شَكُونِي، ملك غاندھارا، ظلّ تحت حماية رجال الغاندھاريين وحراستهم—دلالةً على رسوخ موقعه وأمانه، وعلى ما يحظى به من سندٍ منظّم من قومه وسط توتراتٍ سياسيةٍ متصاعدة.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights how power in a crisis rests not only on personal cunning or status but also on collective backing and protection. Ethically, it points to the responsibility of groups who choose whom to shield and empower during escalating conflict.
Vaiśampāyana briefly notes Śakuni’s position: he is the Gāndhāra king and is being guarded by Gāndhāran followers. The narration underscores his secure support base as events move toward confrontation.